By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
Korea's human rights commission is at odds with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security over the latter's plan to cut its staff and disband some of its bureaus in efforts to build a ``small government.''
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has protested its downsizing since the ministry first raised the issue last October, in line with the state auditor's recommendation.
The commission, established in 2001 under former President Kim Dae-jung, argues such a request demonstrates the country lags far behind world norms in addressing human rights violations. However, the administration believes the panel needs restructuring to the same degree as other state organizations.
``We are only eight years old,'' a lawyer working for the commission said, asking not to be identified. ``It's a setback to democracy to accept such a thoughtless and senseless request from the ministry. It should provide more staff and more money to enhance human rights, but is instead headed in the wrong direction.''
Last year, the ministry demanded a 49 percent cut in the number of the commission's staff, which is now 208. The restructuring plan has been scaled down and the ministry decided early this month to cut 30 percent of staff and reduce the number of the commission's bureaus to three from the current five.
``We've held rounds of discussions with the NHRC and the private sector to finalize the restructuring plan,'' a ministry spokesman said. ``We hope the NHRC will accept the plan and join our efforts to slim down the government. We are willing to hold additional talks with the NHRC, but downsizing the commission is inevitable.''
The ministry plans to request a revision of laws governing the operation of the NHRC next month to push for a forceful restructuring unless the panel conducts downsizing itself.
Kim Seon-taik, a law professor of Korea University, said the government's push for the NHRC's restructuring may undermine its independence and spark protests from international human rights organizations.
``Korea set up the commission in line with a request from the international community to become a more responsible member in addressing human rights issues,'' Kim said. ``The restructuring plan is of grave concern not only to global activists, but Koreans who have few means to convey their complaints about rights violations.''
Committee officials said they were committed to the fulfillment of human rights in a broader sense, including the dignity, value and freedom of every human being, as signified in international human rights conventions and treaties to which Korea is a signatory.